Unconscious man discovered near tracks in Glencoe, causes Metra delays

(GLENCOE) An unconscious man was taken to an Evanston hospital for surgery on a head wound after he was found laying near the Metra tracks in Glencoe, police said.

Glencoe Deputy Police Chief Al Kebby said the white male, believed to be in his late 40s was found about 6 a.m. on the east side of the Metra tracks, near the inbound line, just south of the Hazel viaduct.

The man, who was spotted by a Metra engineer, was transported to Northshore University HealthSystem Evanston Hospital and was undergoing surgery.

“We are trying to determine if he was struck by a train or if he fell and just struck his head and was on the right of way,” Kebby said.

Kebby said the man will not be identified until the family is notified.

The discovery halted trains for at least 30 minutes during the Thursday morning commute, according to the transit agency.

Inbound and outbound trains on the Union Pacific / North Line were halted about 6 a.m, Metra spokesman Tom Miller said. Four Metra trains were cancelled as public safety personnel responded.

Trains were on the move again shortly after 7 a.m., operating 15 to 60 minutes behind schedule, Miller said.

Additional details on the incident were not immediately available Thursday morning.